Environment
Need some good news about the environment? The Optimist Daily is your go-to herald of positive environmental news, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and scientific progress around climate action, circularity, conservation, and more. Learn about everything eco in our Environment section.
New York State passes nation's first statewide ban on fossil fuel use in new construction
New York State recently approved groundbreaking legislation mandating all-electric new construction, making it the first state in the US to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in buildings. The All-Electric Building Act, which is scheduled to be signed into law soon by Governor Kathy Hochul, will Read More...
A recycling guide for the mysteries of takeout containers
Do you wish to conquer the world of takeaway container recycling? Let's dive into the deceptively complex world of packaging—sustainable and otherwise— armed with knowledge to ensure that we dispose of them in the best way possible. Chinese food containers Consider the lovely folded Read More...
Style and sustainability: Patagonia transforms ocean waste into high-tech fashion
Patagonia once again emerged as a symbol of sustainability and style amidst rising concerns about plastic trash devastating coastal ecosystems through creating the groundbreaking Stormshadow Parka. This novel jacket, priced at $899, represents not just Patagonia's warmest product but also an Read More...
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe celebrates salmon return after century-long wait
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe of Washington State hoped for the reintroduction of coho salmon to the Elwha River for over a century. The river, which was vital to their way of life, was obstructed by two dams in 1911, impeding salmon migration. These dams, however, were demolished in August 2014. Read More...
Denmark introduces green taxes for aviation sustainability
Denmark recently revealed a bold plan to implement a green tax on air travel beginning in 2025. According to Thomas Danielsen, the country's transportation minister, this taxing proposal intends to reduce the aviation industry's environmental impact and support a transition to eco-friendly methods. Read More...
Prescribed thinning and controlled burns critical in preventing California wildfires
A pioneering two-decade-long study done in California's Sierra Nevada mountains confirms the effectiveness of forest management strategies such as restorative thinning and regulated burning in reducing the state's rising threat of catastrophic wildfires. This thorough study, conducted by the Read More...
Global climate reform: Australia and Norway to stop overseas fossil fuel financing
Australia and Norway have formally joined the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), a historic alliance aiming at ending international public subsidies for fossil fuels. The CETP, also known as the Glasgow Statement, was launched during COP26 in Glasgow and has grown to include 41 countries Read More...
Conservation success: 2,000 captive Southern White Rhinos to be released across Africa
Donovan Jooste, a passionate conservationist, witnessed a stunning spectacle in the South African grasslands: approximately 2,000 southern white rhinos congregating on a farm in the North West region. This astonishing gathering represents an astounding 12 to 15 percent of Africa's remaining rhino Read More...
Ecuadorian court grants Siekopai ancestral land rights in historic ruling
The Ecuadorian court system returned ownership of 42,360 hectares of ancient land, Pë'këya, to the Siekopai people in a landmark ruling, marking a momentous step in the tribe's journey back to their roots. The November 24 verdict represents a significant move, recognizing the tribe's right to Read More...
Growing the green workforce: US commits $41M to clean energy training centers
The United States is preparing for an energy transformation, and it's no secret that a trained workforce is critical to making the transition to a cleaner future a success. The recent announcement by the Biden administration of a $40.8 million investment in 27 new training centers across the Read More...